Faculty Grievance Procedures

All grievance procedures applicable to faculty members are set forth in the “Procedures for Resolving Faculty Grievances Arising from Section 607(3) of The Code of The University of North Carolina (hereinafter “Faculty Grievance Procedures”).  Section 607 of The Code provides a process for faculty members to seek redress concerning employment related grievances other than those involving decisions about reappointment, promotion, the conferral of tenure, discharge, imposition of serious sanctions, termination, or those within the jurisdiction of another standing committee.  General questions concerning these faculty procedures should be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs, which may refer such inquiries to the chairperson of the appropriate faculty committee. In order to prevail in the formal grievance process, a faculty member must establish that she or he experienced a remediable injury attributable to the alleged violation of a right or privilege based on federal or state law, university policies or regulations, or commonly shared understandings within the academic community about the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attending University employment.

Employment Related Grievances

Some departments or colleges provide informal procedures for resolving faculty grievances. The dean of the college should be consulted about these procedures. An aggrieved faculty member who is unable to resolve a grievance informally within the department or college should submit a written petition for redress to the University Mediation Coordinator as set forth in the Procedures for Resolving Faculty Grievances. 

It should be noted that disputes related to reappointment, promotion, the conferral of tenure, discharge, imposition of serious sanctions, or termination of a faculty member are not resolved under the Faculty Grievance Procedures but pursuant to Section 7 of University Policy 102.13, Tenure Policies, Regulations, and Procedures.

Discrimination

General grievances alleging improper discrimination adverse to a faculty member should be addressed under the Procedures for Resolving Faculty Grievances; however, in accordance with Section 7 of University Policy 102.13, Tenure Policies, Regulations, and Procedures, allegations that a non-reappointment decision was impermissibly based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national origin are to be addressed to the University Hearing Committee. 

Student Academic Grievance/Academic Petitions

Students have the right to submit grievances against a faculty member as well as submit academic petitions related to academic matters (e.g., missed deadlines; final course grade appeals).  Grievances against a faculty member (other than allegations of sexual harassment) are to be addressed initially in the college where the grievance arises, or if no particular college is appropriate, by the Dean of Students Office.  Graduate students are to file their grievances through the graduate coordinator/director of his/her academic program.  The Dean of Students Office serves as a resource center for those seeking information regarding grievance and appeal procedures.  For more information, refer to University Policy 403, Student Appeals and Grievances.

Students appealing a final course grade are to follow the Request for Review of a Final Course Grade.  Undergraduates submitting petitions related to academic matters such as missed deadlines or policy exceptions are to be addressed in the college with the faculty member, academic advisor, and when necessary with the associate dean of the college responsible for student academic matters.  Graduate students submitting petitions related to academic matters are to be addressed in the college with the faculty member, graduate coordinator/director of his/her academic programs and when necessary with the senior associate dean of the Graduate School.  For more information, see the Advising section of this manual.

Disability-Related Grievances

Faculty, staff, and students who have grievances related to discrimination on the basis of disability should process such grievances in accordance with University Policy 501, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability.

Sexual Harassment Grievances

Faculty members, staff, and students who have grievances related to sexual harassment by University employees or students should pursue such grievances under University Policy 502, Sexual Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures.

Other Dispute Resolution Procedures

Faculty members should be aware that persons employed in non-faculty positions have similar dispute-resolution mechanisms available to them. Employees subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA) can utilize the UNC Charlotte Grievance and Appeal Procedure for SPA Employees to process employment-related grievances.  Most EPA staff employees not subject to the State Personnel Act are covered by and may utilize the UNC Charlotte grievance procedures for EPA staff employees, set forth in Section III.5 of University Policy 102.7, Personnel Policies for Designated Employment Exempt from the State Personnel Act.